Matthew 19:16–30

Eternal Life in the Kingdom—Mark 10:17–31; Luke 18:18–30

¹⁶Then a man came to Jesus and said, “Teacher, what good deed should I do to gain eternal life?” 

¹⁷Jesus said to him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you want to enter into life, obey the commandments.” 

¹⁸“Which commandments?” the man asked. 

Jesus said, “Never murder. Never commit adultery. Never steal. Never give false testimony. ¹⁹Honor your father and mother. Love your neighbor as you love yourself.” 

²⁰The young man replied, “I have obeyed all these commandments. What else do I need to do?” 

²¹Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, sell what you own. Give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then follow me!” 

²²When the young man heard this, he went away sad because he owned a lot of property. 

²³Jesus said to his disciples, “I can guarantee this truth: It will be hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven. ²⁴I can guarantee again that it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter God’s kingdom.” 

²⁵He amazed his disciples more than ever when they heard this. “Then who can be saved?” they asked. 

²⁶Jesus looked at them and said, “It is impossible for people ⸤to save themselves⸥, but everything is possible for God.” 

²⁷Then Peter replied to him, “Look, we’ve given up everything to follow you. What will we get out of it?” 

²⁸Jesus said to them, “I can guarantee this truth: When the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne in the world to come, you, my followers, will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. ²⁹And everyone who gave up homes, brothers or sisters, father, mother, children, or fields because of my name will receive a hundred times more and will inherit eternal life. ³⁰However, many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.